Decorative figurine and dispenser

ABSTRACT

A squeeze dispenser in the form of a flexible free standing decorative figurine comprising a collapsible hollow stylized container having a dispensing nozzle projecting from the underside thereof for discharging the contents of the container upon squeezing of the latter, and a base member for supporting the stylized container member in stabilized, nozzle down condition. After the contents of the dispenser are exhausted, it can still be used as a decorative figurine item.

[4 1 Feb. 18, 1975 United States Patent [191 Kipimueller [54] DECORATIVE FIGURINE AND DISPENSER 3,760,987 9/1973 Meierhoeferr..................

Inventor: Max H. Kipfmueller, Berea, Ohio American Greetings Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio Sept. 20, 1973 Appl. No.: 399,189

Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Tollberg Assistant Examiner-John P. Shannon [73] Assignee:

Attorney, Agent,.0r F irm- Baldwin, Egan, Walling & F etzer [22] Filed:

[57] ABSTRACT A squeeze dispenser in the form of a flexible free l ni s 5 m 2 t w m a n m m a 2 m m uu oo r. n l .N .h e C2 R H M UlF UNITED STATES PATENTS tion. After the contents of the dispenser are exhausted, it can still be used as a decorative figurine item.

11 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures ZZZ/179.5 222/78 ZZZ/179.5

2,228,435 3.220,609 11/1965 Russell et al..... 3 674,181 7/1972 Marks et PATENTED FEB] 3 I975.

SHEET 10F 2 FIGZ SHEET 2 OF 2 PATEHTEU M 8 ms tainers and more particularly relates to a figurine dispenser having a discharge nozzle projecting from the underside thereof and a base member for receiving the nozzle and supporting the figurine member in stable, nozzle down position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known in the art to maintain a squeeze dispenser in inverted position when not in use so that when it is picked up, the contents thereof will be over the discharge opening and will therefore be dischargeable immediately as the container is squeezed. However, these inverted containers have usually been of the bottle type, many times adapted to be thrown away when the contents became exhausted. Moreover, problems have occurred in connection with preventing leakage of the contents of the container when it is disposed in inverted condition on the support, and of preventing solidfying of the contents of the dispenser. Also, many of these prior art dispensers are rather unstable when in inverted supported condition, being easily tippable. US. Pat. Nos. 2,259,992 issued Oct. 21, 1941 and 3,342,379 issued Sept. 19, 1967 disclose examples of an inverted type dispensing container adapted for being mounted on a support and adapted to contain fluids.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a novel free standing figurine dispenser having an elongated dispensing nozzle projecting from the underside thereof and which is adapted to be supported in stable condition on av base member having a recess receiving the nozzle, with means on the nozzle exterior for coaction with the recess portion of the base member for preventing egress of fumes and odors of the contents of the figurine container member, and preventing solidfying of the container contents when the container is supported in inverted condition on the base member.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is toprovide a novel inverted squeeze dispenser for fluids, such as, for instance, glues, food stuffs or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispenser of the latter type which includes an elongated dispensing nozzle projecting from the underside of a figurine container portion thereof, for dispensing the contents of the container, and with there being provided a base for supporting the figurine container in stable mounted condition, with means on the base adapted for coaction with means on the nozzle for preventing vapor emission from the recess in the base portion in the mounted condition of the figurine container on the base.

Another object'of the invention is to provide a flexible inverted squeeze dispenser which has decorative value, and can be used as a decorator piece when the squeeze container is empty.

Another object of the invention is to provide .a dispenser for glue or the like which possesses an elongated discharge spout or nozzle extending from the underside thereof, and with the dispenser being of a figurine nature adapted to be supported in nozzle down, stable condition on a base having recess means receiving the dispensing nozzle therein, so that the contents of the dispenser are always available for immediate use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a squeeze dispenser and supporting base embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the dispenser container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the base member; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional and partially broken elevational view of the figurine container dispenser as supported on the base member and showing the coaction between the means on the dispensing nozzle and the recess in the base member for stabilizing the container on the base and for sealing the nozzle with respect to the base recess to prevent the dispensing nozzle from becoming clogged with solidified contents from the figurine container.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now again to the drawings, there is illustrated a squeeze container 10 in the form of a figurine of decorative nature, which is adapted to contain in the hollow interior thereof, a fluid 10a such as for instance, glue, hair lotion, paint, fluid soap, oils, cleaning fluids, food items or the like, adapted to be dispensed therefrom upon squeezing of the'flexible container 10.

Projecting from the underside of the container is an elongated nozzle or spout 12 for dispensing the contents of the container. Such nozzle, in the embodiment illustrated, includes a collar portion 14 which preferably has interior threads adapted for threaded assembly with a threaded neck 16 on the underside of the container 10. The container 10 is of a decorative figurine nature and is so constructed that the interior thereof insures that gravity flow of the contents enclosed within the container will flow down to the nozzle portion without being retained in any pockets within the container. In other words, the interior surface of the container is such that pockets of the contents of the material therein can not be formed and held against automatic gravity flow of the contents toward the nozzle or spout The major portion of nozzle 12 is of conical-like configuration and as originally provided is preferably closed over at its distal end (i;e., 18) so as to retain the contents in fluid condition within the dispenser. The spout or nozzle is provided with spaced embossments 19, 20 thereon, disposed in encircling relationship with respect to the nozzle exterior, which embossments are for the purpose of sealing and stabilizing the squeeze container on the base 22 as will be hereinafter described in greater detail.

While the aforementioned nozzle 12 has been described as being threadedly separable from the body of the container, it will be understood that it could be formed integral with the container, and other means provided for filling the dispenser with its fluid content, after which the container could be sealed. However, by having the nozzle readily removable from the container, filling of the container is facilitated.

The base 22 which is of truncated conical configuration in side elevation, includes a recess 24 formed generally centrally thereof, which recess is defined by tapered sidewall section 24a of circular configuration in transverse cross section. The base 22 is preferably of molded hollow construction, as can be seen in FIG. 4, and includes a top surface 26 which slopes or tapers inwardly as at 26a (FIG. 4), for coaction with the foot portion 28 of the figurine container 10, to aid in centering the figurine container on the base portion and maintain it in supported condition thereon. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the recess in the base is slightly larger than the exterior dimensions of the discharge nozzle 12, and when container is positioned in supported condition on the base, engagement occurs between the aforementioned embossments on the nozzle and the confronting defining surface of the recess portion. This engagement in tight sealing relationship between the embossments and defining interior surface of the recess prevents the contents of the container from drying out and clogging the nozzle, and prevents emission of odors from recess 24. It will be understood, of course, that the distal tip 18 (FIG. 2) of the nozzle is adapted to be severed or opened to open the nozzle for dispensing of the contents of the container. This severing or opening is adapted to take place below the lower sealing embossment 20.

Engagement of the sealing embossments l9 and 20 with the recess portion 24a aids to stabilize the dispenser on the base since the embossments engage in snug contact with the defining surface of the recess portion well below the upper extremity of the support 22. In this connection, the nozzle 12 in the mounted condition of the container on the base extends substantially to the lower extremity of the base. Moreover, the upper embossment 19 is preferably disposed more than half way down the length of the discharge nozzle (the collar portion 14 being included in the length of the nozzle). Accordingly, the engagement between the sealing embossments and the defining surface or recess portion occurs toward the lower portion of the recess portion and thus the lower level of base 22, and therefore aids in stabilizing the dispenser on the support against tipping. The recess portion includes a shoulder 30 formed thereon which is adapted to be disposed in confronting relation with the collar 14 in the supported condition of the dispenser on the support. Preferably the collar does not engage the shoulder portion but is slightly spaced therefrom so the engagement between the dispenser container 10 and the support 22 occurs at the upper tapered section 260 of the base and between the embossments and the defining surface of the lower section-of the recess portion in the base.

The figurine dispensing portion and the base portion are preferably molded from flexible plastic material such as, for instance, polypropylene. It is preferable that the material from which container 10 is formed is of a nature which has sufficient strength to stand without external or internal support, other than its own elastic memory. The base portion is preferably of relatively heavy wall section (FIG. 4) and may be substantially rigid. The spaced-area contact between the embossments on the nozzle and the recess portion in the base also facilitates removal of the container 10 from the base when it is desired to dispense the contents of the container portion.

The dispensing article may have indicia 32 (FIG. I) printed or formed thereon, such as, for instance, the term Together We Can Do It or other terms or sayings. If the contents of the dispenser is glue, it may be scented with for instance, a pine scent, to increase the attractiveness of the aroma thereof to the user.

From the aforegoing description and accompanying drawings it will be seen that the invention provides a novel dispenser comprising a figurine supported on a base, which figurine provides a squeeze container having an elongated dispensing nozzle projecting from its underside, so that the contents in the container will always be over the discharge opening in the nozzle, and will be discharged immediately as the container is squeezed, and one wherein a novel arrangement is provided for sealing the discharge nozzle with respect to the base, and aiding in stabilizing the container on the base. The invention also provides a dispensing article which can serve as a decorator piece when empty.

The terms and expressions which have been used are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents or any of the features shown or described, or portions thereof, and it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination a flexible free-standing decorative figurine and dispenser'comprising, a collapsible hollow stylized member providing a squeeze container, a dispensing nozzle projecting from the underside thereof for discharging the contents of said container member upon squeezing of the latter, a base member for supporting said container member in nozzle-down position, said base member having a recess formed therein adapted to receive said nozzle in the supported condition of said container member on said base member, whereby the stylization of the container member is visible in said nozzle-down position on said base member, said nozzle having means on the exterior thereof adapted for sealing coaction with the defining side surface of said recess in said base member for preventing egress of odors and solidifying of the contents of said container member in the inverted nozzle-down supported condition of said container member on said base member, said means on said nozzle comprising at least one circumferential-like embossment projecting generally laterally outwardly, said container member on its underside engaging an upper surface of said base member, said nozzle being generally spaced from the confronting defining side surface of said recess except where said embossment engages said defining side surface in snug sealing relation, said engagement of said embossment with said defining side surface occurring below the supported engagement of said container member on said upper surface of said base member.

2. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein, said nozzle is relatively rigid as compared to said container member.

3. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said base member is of generally hollow construction having a central portion defining said recess, with the latter being symmetrical about a generally vertical central axis, said upper surface of said base member disposed above said recess and encompassing the same, sloping generally in a direction toward said vertical axis.

4. The combination in accordance with claim 3 wherein said underside of the lower portion of said container member slopes complementary to the slope of said encompassing upper surface on said base member, whereby said container member is supported on said underside in generally stabilized condition with respect to said base member.

5. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said container member has a threaded neck formed on the underside thereof and said nozzle has a complementary threaded collar which is adapted for threaded sealing coaction with the threaded neck on said container member for securing the nozzle to the underside of said container member.

6. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said recess and said nozzle extend generally to adjacent the lower extremity of said base.

7. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said container member contains a substance taken from the class consisting of glues, lotions, hairdressings, and fluid food stuffs, such as condiments.

8. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said container member is formed of yieldable plastic material such as polypropylene.

9. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said nozzle is of inverted conical-like configuration having an enlarged collar portion of cylindricallike configuration secured to the underside of said container member, said recess in said base member having a shoulder adapted for confronting spaced relation to said collar portion in the mounted condition of said container member on said base member.

10. The combination in accordance with claim 9 wherein said base member is of truncated conical configuration, said recess being concentric with the vertical axis of said base member.

11. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said nozzle is of elongated inverted conicallike configuration extending to substantially the bottom extremity of said base member, said means on said nozzle comprising a plurality of spaced circumferential embossments encircling said nozzle, the uppermost of said embossments being disposed more than halfway down the length of said nozzle, said nozzle being generally spaced from the confronting defining surface of said recess except where said embossments engage said defining surface in snug sealing relation. 

1. In combination a flexible free-standing decorative figurine and dispenser comprising, a collapsible hollow stylized member providing a squeeze container, a dispensing nozzle projecting from the underside thereof for discharging the contents of said container member upon squeezing of the latter, a base member for supporting said container member in nozzle-down position, said base member having a recess formed therein adapted to receive said nozzle in the supported condition of said container member on said base member, whereby the stylization of the container member is visible in said nozzle-down position on said base member, said nozzle having means on the exterior thereof adapted for sealing coaction with the defining side surface of said recess in said base member for preventing egress of odors and solidifying of the contents of said container member in the inverted nozzle-down supported condition of said container member on said base member, said means on said nozzle comprising at least one circumferential-like embossment projecting generally laterally outwardly, said container member on its underside engaging an upper surface of said base member, said nozzle being generally spaced from the confronting defining side surface of said recess except where said embossment engages said defining side surface in snug sealing relation, said engagement of said embossment with said defining side surface occurring below the supported engagement of said container member on said upper surface of said base member.
 2. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein, said nozzle is relatively rigid as compared to said container member.
 3. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said base member is of generally hollow construction having a central portion defining said recess, with the latter being symmetrical about a generally vertical central axis, said upper surface of said base member disposed above said recess and encompassing the same, sloping generally in a direction toward said vertical axis.
 4. The combination in accordance with claim 3 wherein said underside of the lower portion of said container member slopes complementary to the slope of said encompassing upper surface on said base member, whereby said container member is supported on said underside in generally stabilized condition with respect to said base member.
 5. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said container member has a threaded neck formed on the underside thereof and said nozzle has a complementary threaded collar which is adapted for threaded sealing coaction with the threaded neck on said container member for securing the nozzle to the underside of said container member.
 6. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said recess and said nozzle extend generally to adjacent the lower extremity of said base.
 7. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said container member contains a substance taken from the class consisting of glues, lotions, hairdressings, and fluid food stuffs, such as condiments.
 8. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said container member is formed of yieldable plastic material such as polypropylene.
 9. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said nozzle is of inverted conical-like configuration having an enlarged collar portion of cylindrical-like configuration secured to the underside of said container member, said recess in said base member having a shoulder adapted for confronting spaced relation to said collar portion in the mounted condition of said container member on said base member.
 10. The combination in accordance with claim 9 wherein said base member is of truncated conicAl configuration, said recess being concentric with the vertical axis of said base member.
 11. The combination in accordance with claim 1 wherein said nozzle is of elongated inverted conical-like configuration extending to substantially the bottom extremity of said base member, said means on said nozzle comprising a plurality of spaced circumferential embossments encircling said nozzle, the uppermost of said embossments being disposed more than halfway down the length of said nozzle, said nozzle being generally spaced from the confronting defining surface of said recess except where said embossments engage said defining surface in snug sealing relation. 